Evening Standard
·10 de agosto de 2025
Chelsea: Quiet performance leaves Jamie Gittens with point to prove as Estevao has instant impact

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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·10 de agosto de 2025
The 21-year-old joined from Borussia Dortmund this summer but has been left behind by other forward signings
Inconsistent: Jamie Gittens
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Chelsea rounded off their pre-season preparations with a routine 4-1 win over 10-man AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues raced into a two-goal lead inside eight minutes with Milan debutant Andrei Coubis putting through his own net before Joao Pedro headed in his fifth Chelsea goal in five appearances.
Liam Delap came off the bench to score from the penalty spot, with midfielder Youssouf Fofana pulling a goal back for the visitors.
Delap then completed the scoring, securing Chelsea's second win in three days, finishing coolly from Andrey Santos' lay-off in added time.
Chelsea will now look ahead to the start of the Premier League season next weekend, when they will host Community Shield winners Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Here are three things Standard Sport learned from Chelsea's resounding victory over AC Milan...
Not a game goes by at Chelsea these days without there being a fresh young attacking talent to sink your teeth into. Estevao dazzled under the lights on Friday night against Bayer Leverkusen, but against AC Milan, it was Jamie Gittens' chance to shine.
The 21-year-old ran Milan winger Yunus Musah into the ground early on, winning the free-kick from which Chelsea would take the lead, but he struggled to kick on after the visitors were reduced to ten men.
Gittens is direct as they come, taking his man on at every opportunity. He carries a threat whenever he isolates defenders, but the Englishman has a tendency to become isolated, having faded after bright early moments against Bayer Leverkusen and Milan.
These are formative moments for Gittens' Chelsea career. But given the competition for minutes, he will need to show a bit more if he is to be sure of making the left-wing spot his own next season.
Estevao announced himself to the Chelsea faithful in style on Friday night, netting the Blues' opening goal against Bayer Leverkusen on his first start for the west London club.
The 18-year-old came on to rapturous applause in the second-half against AC Milan this afternoon and followed up his impressive showing against Leverkusen with another dazzling display.
Within minutes of his introduction, Estevao had won the Blues a penalty, confidently dispatched by Delap, and he continued to cause problems for the 10 men of Milan as Chelsea ran out 4-1 victors.
Such is the confidence with which Estevao has played since pulling on a Chelsea shirt, the teenager even assumed corner-taking responsibilities against Milan. The young winger is already making himself an indispensable part of Maresca's side.
There is competition for places throughout Chelsea's squad, not least on the wings, but Estevao has already established himself as a vital cog for the Blues heading into the new season.
Joao Pedro has hit the ground running like few Chelsea forwards before him.
His stooped header after eight minutes doubled Chelsea's lead against a hapless Milan side and made it five goals in five appearances for the Brazilian.
Pedro is the complete package, but it's not just goals that the 23-year-old provides.
Able to drop deep to receive the ball or run in behind, he drew Milan debutant Coubis into a rash challenge that gave the referee no option but to award a red card.
His pressing also caused Milan problems. Winning the ball back high up the pitch, he forced Mike Maignan into a rushed clearance that allowed Chelsea to regain possession and keep their finger on the pulse in a rampant 20-minute spell at the start of the first-half.
Pedro has yet to put a foot wrong in a Chelsea shirt, but he will have to keep up these performances with Delap breathing down his neck. The Englishman replaced Pedro on the hour mark and grabbed two goals to continue his own fine form in front of goal.
While selection problems continue to mount for Maresca at the back, one headache he will be glad of is the one provided by Pedro and Delap, who are both making strong claims for minutes heading into the new campaign.